cancer survival | Grace Gawler Media

Effective German Cancer Treatments VoiceAmerica Grace Gawler and Professor Thomas Vogl

The answer to treating liver, lung and difficult to resect tumours…bringing tumour reduction, wellbeing and increasing longevity – Prof Thomas Vogl and Hallwang private Oncology Clinic patient interviews on….
VoiceAmerica and WorldTalk Radio

The answer to treating liver, lung and difficult to resect tumours…bringing tumour reduction, wellbeing and increasing longevity – Prof Thomas Vogl on….VoiceAmerica and WorldTalk Radio Health and Wellness Channel: Navigating the Cancer Maze with Grace Gawler

Navigating the Cancer Maze with Professor Thomas Vogl discussing innovative German treatments

March 29, 2013

Don’t miss listening to my conversation with Prof Thomas Vogl talking about innovative solutions to treating Cancer, including mesothelioma. Professor Vogl is Chairman Department of Radiology University of Frankfurt- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Germany. His institute is in a position to offer a total of ten interventional methods for the therapy of a variety of tumors, metastases and recidivist tumors. Frankfurt, Germany has become a primary cancer center in Euorope offering outstanding service in interventional conventional oncological therapies like chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy, TACE trans arterial chemo-embolisation while transarterial chemoperfusion (TACP), and transpulmonary chemoembolization (TPCE) have become particularly viable methods for the treatment of malignant tumors in the lung. Prof Vogl works in close collaboration with Hallwang Private Oncology Clinic in Germany’s Black Forest, making a powerful team in solutions-focussed cancer medicine.

ABOUT TACE: Normal liver tissue recieves 75% of its blood supply from the portal circulation and 25%from the liver (hepatic artery). On the other hand, liver tumours or metastases receive more than 95%of their blood supply from the hepatic artery alone.

Local injection of a chemotherapeutic agent into the area ensures the delivery of the chemotherapy in a concentration up to 100 times more than what is achieved when the chemotherapeutic agent is given systemically while usual systemic side effects are minimised owing to the local injection of the drugs.

In addition, embolising the branches of the hepatic artery which supply the tumour will cause selective ischemia and death of the tumour while the normal liver tissue will maintain its blood supply through its main source of supply – the portal vein. The reduced blood supply to the tumour causes tumour starvation and at the same time delays the washout of the chemotherapy from the tumour area. Thus the effect of the chemotherapeutic agent is maximised by increasing the duration of contact between the drug and the tumour which can last up to several weeks.

Prof Vogl liver TACE Germany — Left: Multiple liver cancer metastases. Right: after 3 sessions TACE

Be inspired with authentic hope: Listen to my interview with Prof Vogl and interviews with patients who have undergone the TACE procedure at :

http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/68215/navigating-the-cancer-maze-with-professor-thomas-vogl-discussing-innovative-german-treatments

INQUIRIES: For more information about Prof Vogl CONTACT ME VIA the contact page

Alternative medicines and cancer-Grace Gawler in conversation with Sloan Kettering’s Dr Barrie Cassileth

This week on Navigating the Cancer Maze- Voice America and WorldTalk radio, I am in conversation with Dr Barrie Cassileth founder the Integrative Medicine Service at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center New York.

Navigating the Cancer Maze: The role of Complementary Therapies in Cancer Care
Grace Gawler in conversation with Memmorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Dr Barrie Cassileth PhD on VoiceAmerica and WorldTalk Radio.
Broadcast times: USA Friday 22 March 2013 from Arizona live at 12 noon.
Saturday 23 March – Australia available after 8 am – listen streaming or download MP3 or download on itunes. Available to listen as a streaming audio anytime after the 29 March
Note: Facebook link is broken on my Voice America Page:

In about 30 minutes from now I will broadcasting from Germany – to Voice America Arizona with a show guest from New York – A truly geographically challenging show today!
This week on Navigating the Cancer Maze I am in conversation with Dr Barrie Cassileth founder the Integrative Medicine Service at theMemorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, (MSKCC) where she remains the chief, and holds the Laurance S. Rockefeller Chair in Integrative Medicine.

Dr Cassileth has been involved with the psychosocial aspects of cancer care for more than 25 years and also founded the Society for Integrative Oncology, which publishes a medical journal. She has just released a new book, The Complete Guide to Complementary Therapies in Cancer Care. MSKCC’s Integrative Medicine Service’s Web site, www.MSKCC.org offers evidence-based information about herbs, vitamins, and unproved cancer treatments at no charge to professionals and the public.

The Service’s research includes studies to evaluate the ability of specific complementary therapies to reduce important symptoms associated with cancer treatments and the investigation of botanicals for potential antitumor effects.

To listen in to the show – select the link below:
http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/68025/navigating-the-cancer-maze-the-role-of-complementary-therapies-in-cancer-care-grace-gawler-in
About Dr Barrie Cassilieth:
Founding President of the International Society for Integrative Oncology and founding Editor-in-Chief of its journal, Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology, Dr Barrie Cassileth has a truly holistic approach and is known as one of oncology’s most ardent advocates for treating the “whole” patient. At MSKCC she has been the principal investigator of many research studies. The Botanical Center investigates immune-modulating botanical supplements by composition, mechanisms of action and clinical value. She has published 158 papers and 60 books and textbook chapters for physicians, patients, and families. A new edition of The Alternative Medicine Handbook is underway, and the second edition of MSKCC’s Herb-Drug Interactions in Oncology is now available. Dr Cassileth has researched and promoted proven complementary therapies used along with mainstream care to improve quality of life and to help sustain healthy survivorship. http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctor/barrie-cassileth

Please pass this blog address on to friends and colleagues and especially cancer patients. My Navigating the Cancer Maze internet radio show is free to air and free to download as an MP3. Any questions – contact me: institute@gracegawler.com

The Grace Gawler Institute is a not for profit registered health promotion charity providing access to invaluable information for cancer patients as a value add to conventional care

Spontaneous Remission – Researcher Caryle Hirshberg-Navigating the Cancer Maze Grace Gawler

Spontaneous Remission launched Caryle Hirshberg into the cancer spotlight when it was published in 1993 by the institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS). The book filled a gap in research, as before that time there was no standard reference for the field of spontaneous remission

VoiceAmerica and WorldTalk internet Radio Network, announced today that nationally acclaimed author and researcher Caryle Hirshberg will join Grace Gawler, host of Navigating the Cancer Maze radio program on the VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel Friday, February 22, at 1 p.m. Pacific Time. Available as a MP3 download at VoiceAmerica anytime or liste to replay – streaming audio. Free sign up to Voice America to download.Download from itunes.

Caryle Hirshberg, M.S author Spontaneous Remission and Remarkable Recovery; pioneer researcher, lecturer joins host Grace Gawler to discuss what was discovered from the research. The topic – Why people Heal – Lessons learned from studies of Spontaneous Remissions

http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/67536/navigating-the-cancer-maze-why-people-heal-lessons-learned-from-studies-of-spontaneous-remissions (For resources mentioned in this interview – select “More” icon at end of this story and scroll).

Spontaneous Remission launched Caryle Hirshberg into the cancer spotlight when it was published in 1993 by the institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS). The book filled a gap in research, as before that time there was no standard reference for the field of spontaneous remission. Then, in 1994 Remarkable Recovery was published; a book of stories about patient unexplained recoveries. Both book looked at unexplained recoveries from medical literature and although considered a rare phenomena – they were surprised at the number of references they found. It piqued their interest to know more….

Just for a moment, turn back the clock to 1994. Can you imagine the New York Literary Guild’s Lawrence Van Gelder writing in the NY Times that the three hottest books on the horizon were ‘Like Water for Chocolate’, ‘The Horse Whisperer’ and, amazingly a nonfiction work; ‘Remarkable Recovery’ a book that offered scientific evidence that people recover from seemingly terminal illnesses more frequently than is supposed. Hirshberg’s well researched works of science not only captivated cancer patients worldwide but they marked a beginning of an almost cult-like fascination with healing in the public arena.

Caryle Hirshberg, Project Manager at IONS and the late Brendan O’Regan, Vice President of Research at IONS joined forces to create a project that had never been researched before. So was born ‘The Remission Project’ at IONS, California. The task was enormous; to catalogue the world’s medical literature on the subject. This resulted in an assembly of the largest database of medically reported cases of spontaneous remission in the world, with more than 3,500 references from more than 800 journals in 20 different languages.

Caryle Hirshberg will discuss her role in this formative period in American healing history with Grace Gawler. The theme is why people heal from diseases that were deemed incurable. This was a courageous topic to pursue; to study the seemingly miraculous while keeping science and well researched data on track. This was the first time that a research group not only gathered medical data from journals worldwide; but they dared to look at why people recovered and what we might learn from their turnaround to stay well. The book was controversial, inspiring and as well gained attack from some medical corners; yet the material they researched was from medical journals. Like TV’s past science hero, Professor Julius Sumner Miller; Hirshberg and O’Regan were brave enough to ask the fundamental scientific question; ‘Why is it so?’

Select read more to access Resources from todays show Continue reading “Spontaneous Remission – Researcher Caryle Hirshberg-Navigating the Cancer Maze Grace Gawler”

Navigating the Vascular Maze in Cancer Patients-a Silent and Potentially deadly issue – Grace Gawler

Last Friday on my internet radio show, Navigating the Cancer Maze I interviewed a Gold Coast Vascular Surgeon because I was interested to get the latest information on how Cancer patients can manage the issue of DVT, embolisms and other blood clotting issues

Last Friday on my internet radio show, Navigating the Cancer Maze I interviewed a Gold Coast Vascular Surgeon because I was interested to get the latest information on how Cancer patients can manage the issue of DVT, embolisms and other blood clotting issues. I have known Dr John for some time and thankfully he had alerted me to the issues of DVT when I had been a patient undergoing repeated and long surgical procedures. His advice was invaluable.

As far as cancer patients are concerned; this is a serious matter and more education is needed – especially interms of safe air travel and also whether a cancer patient or not – for any of us sitting immobile for long periods of time can be a problem. Dr John provides us with great advice – simple preventive measures for avoiding vascular problems.

Cancer patients have a dramatically increased risk of strokes, heart attacks and dangerous blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and in the legs (deep vein thrombosis). Did you know that – a cancer patient has 7 times the risk of developing a blood clot.
It is not all doom and gloom – but knowing this fact empowers us to to be proactive, seek good advice and or if we detect or suspect an issue – you may save your life by early intervention.

In this interview with Dr John you will learn about the vascular system and lifestyle issues that can cause a stroke. You will learn about tests and scans you should have to check out veins and arteries, things you can take to offset clotting affects – issues that MUST be discussed with your doctor or oncologist. Basically Clotting risk should be assessed in all patients with cancer. Whenever you are hospitalised, if you are a cancer patient……ask about treatment to prevent DVT or PE both in hospital and at home.

In hospital, you may be given heparin or low molecular weight heparin. Compression stockings…getting you mobile ASAP is a good intervention.However – Patients should be aware of signs and symptoms of DVT/PE – and if you suspect an issue – DONT DELAY GETTING ATTENTION…

I have had many patients who have ignored advice regarding anticlotting medications before during and after air-travel. Patients have returned from cancer treatments overseas not following the advice and have lost their lives to DVT and pulmonary embolisms or stroke. Quite a number of them had significant reduction in their cancer – but died due to their likely preventable vascular events. Fitted pressure stockings will help and in the interview Dr John gives us a powerful tool for clearing the large muscles of the calf when we travel or if we are immobile for a long period – particularly if there is pressure to the back of the calf muscle. Continue reading “Navigating the Vascular Maze in Cancer Patients-a Silent and Potentially deadly issue – Grace Gawler”

Cancer and the Global Equity Divide: A Call for Action Grace Gawler republished from The Conversation

Published with permission in The Conversation 4 February 2013 – please read & distribute this important information.

Cancer and the Global Equity Divide: A Call for Action.

By Alessandro R Demaio, University of Copenhagen

This article was written by Toni Kuguru, Sebastian Rodríguez Llamazares, Alessandro Demaio and A/Prof Felicia Knaul.

This year more than half of the nearly 13 million new cancer cases diagnosed worldwide and two-thirds of cancer deaths will occur in the world’s low and middle income countries (LMICs). Nearly a third of these deaths could have been prevented with the knowledge and technology already available today. For example, only 10% of children diagnosed with leukemia in the 25 poorest countries of the world will survive compared to 90% of children diagnosed with leukemia in Canada.

The disease burden in developing nations is growing. Caused by an inequity in health, healthcare and resulting disease, the disparities across the cancer care continuum found between rich and poor countries remain largely unaddressed. The cancer divide is the result of these disparities — explained in the report of the Global Task Force on Expanded Access to Cancer Care and Control in Developing Countries-GTF.CCC and in the book Closing the Cancer Divide: An Equity Imperative.

The Cancer Divide

Evidence of this growing burden in LMICs is only beginning to be translated into effective and practical solutions. Traditional rhetoric argues that the challenge of addressing cancer in poor countries is unnecessary, unaffordable, unrealistic, and detracts resources from other more pressing development programs. However, the impending cancer crisis in LMICs remains too large to be ignored. Continue reading “Cancer and the Global Equity Divide: A Call for Action Grace Gawler republished from The Conversation”

Grace Gawler, Prof Alex Crandon Conversations about Gynaecological Cancer on Voice America

Voice America Grace Gawler talks with Prof Alex Crandon whose specialty is Surgical Gynaecologic Oncology and one of the few surgeons in the world practising Hyperthermic intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy or HIPEC; a special type of surgery recommended for some women with ovarian cancer which promises to significantly improve survival.

How to Navigate the Gynaecologic Cancer Maze with Professor Alex Crandon

February 1, 2013

Hosted by Grace Gawler
http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/67129/how-to-navigate-the-gynaecologic-cancer-maze-with-professor-alex-crandon

It is important to be educated and to educate your teenagers and grandchildren: Safe sex has never been more important for protection against future cancer development. For those who are sexually active, a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner is the strategy most likely to prevent HPV infection!!!!

Did you know that …….

1.HPV ( Human Papilloma Virus ) is responsible for many cancers other than cancer of the cervix. When the new vaccines begin to act in a preventive way – we will see at least a 70% drop in diagnosed cases of cervical cancer.

2. Virtually all cervical cancers are caused by HPV infections, with just two HPV types, 16 and 18, responsible for about 70 percent of all cases.

3. We often think of the nasty diseases like Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis as being the dreaded STDs however today a more silent offender is at work…a virus that can cause cancer 10- 15 years after the first infection….yes …it is HPV.

4. HPV also causes anal cancer, with about 85 percent of all cases caused by HPV-16. HPV types 16 and 18 have also been found to cause close to half of vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers.

5. Most recently, HPV infections have been found to cause cancer of the oropharynx, which is the middle part of the throat including the soft palate, the base of the tongue, and the tonsils. In the United States, more than half of the cancers diagnosed in the oropharynx are linked to HPV-16.

6.The incidence of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer has increased during the past 20 years, especially among men. It has been estimated that, by 2020, HPV will cause more oropharyngeal cancers than cervical cancers in the United States . Reference: see end of blog.

Be educated on Womens Gynaecological Cancers and more……This week on Voice America’s Navigating the Cancer Maze I speak with Prof Alex Crandon whose specialty is Surgical Gynaecologic Oncology and one of the few surgeons in the world practising Hyperthermic intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy or HIPEC; a special type of surgery recommended for some women with ovarian cancer which promises to significantly improve survival. He was the first to introduce the method to Australia. When diagnosed with gynaecological cancer there are not only decisions to be made about a potentially life-threatening illness but the biggest challenge for a woman is also the morbidity factor; life quality and wellbeing and adapting to massive changes throughout and after treatments. Navigating the Cancer Maze focuses on best options for those dealing with cancer therefore I will be asking many questions of Prof Crandon covering the big 5 women’s gynaecological cancers; cervical, uterine, ovarian, vulval and ovarian germ cell cancer. Be informed! Imperative listening for all women!

http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/67129/how-to-navigate-the-gynaecologic-cancer-maze-with-professor-alex-crandon

Who Is Prof Alex Crandon? M.B., B.S., PhD (Leeds)., F.R.C.O.G(Lond)., F.R.A.C.O.G., C.G.O.

Prof Alex Crandon is the Director of the Queensland Centre of Gynaecological Cancer, (est. 1993). A graduate of University of Sydney,1973; he initially worked at the Royal Alfred Hospital before training in the UK (1975-1980).

Prof Alex Crandon grace gawler institute — Prof Alex Crandon

He completed his postgraduate studies and specialist training in surgical gynaecology oncology. Between 1980 and 1993 he was a staff gynaecologic oncologist at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital and Chair of the Gynaecological Council at the University Qld from 1993 to 2004. In1993 he established the Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer- now the largest gynaecological cancer service in Australia and one of the ten largest in the World.

In 1997 Mr John Gower & Prof Alex Crandon set up the Gynaecological Cancer Society, which now provides a wide range of services to patients throughout Australia. Prof Alex Crandon has a major interest in improving the results for the treatment for ovarian cancer especially in HIPEC. Hyperthermic Intra-Peritoneal Chemotherapy.

For further helpful information about gynaecological cancer please visit: http://www.igcs.com.au/pil/default.htm

To contact prof Crandon please select: http://www.materonline.org.au/specialist/gynaecologic-oncology/prof-alex-crandon

Resources and references:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/HPV

I hope you find this edition of Navigating the Cancer Maze helpful. Email questions to: institute@gracegawler.com

Grace Gawler blog – A New Way of Living with Cancer Navigating the Cancer Maze VoiceAmerica WorldTalk Radio

I hope that 2013 is shaping up to be a good year for you. The following information is about my weekly internet radio show Navigating the Cancer Maze. Below you will see an e-card for tomorrows show – Saturday 12 January 2013 (if you are in Australia – listen Saturday morning ) The show airs live every Friday 12 noon USA time (PST) and shows can be downloaded and listened to at no cost. Join VoiceAmerica & WorldTalk radio at no fee and get access to all the shows and the skill and expertise of my 38 years in Cancer supportive care, as well as the skills and experience of many Cancer Health Professionals. If you have any issues relating to cancer that you would like me to address on Navigating the Cancer Maze, please email me at institute@gracegawler.com We have some wonderful guest cancer specialists and celebrities coming up on the show in the next 8 weeks. As a not for profit charity,we are delighted to provide education and awareness to cancer patients worldwide at no cost through this media.
Until next time…. Enjoy the weekend!! Warm Regards…Grace
Here is the subject for tomorrow’s show Select the link below to reach Voice America’s webpage:
Please Listen in and join the many thousands who are enjoying the show each week!

http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/66727/navigating-the-cancer-maze-sorting-the-wheat-from-the-chaff-the-often-empty-promise-of-cancer-cures

Grace Gawler Navigating the Cancer Maze on VoiceAmerica and WorldTalk radio

If you have missed Navigating the Cancer Maze I invite you to visit VoiceAmerica and WorldTalk Radio Health & Wellness Channel. All shows are archived and can be downloaded as MP3 and shared. You simply need to join Voice America – no fee and have access to free and informed information via my show. Listen to interview with Fran Drescher: Cancer Schmancer is name that one could easily associate with Fran Drescher; loved by millions for her television role as ‘The Nanny’, this humorous, elegant, beautiful, fun loving celebrity has a more serious side to her life and mission.

What an amazing opportunity to be approached by an American internet radio producer in 2012 and then asked to submit an application for a new radio show that has the possibility of reaching millions of people; not only in the USA but around the world. I have always liked the educative part of working with cancer so this show really fits the bill and….it is free to air! As the show now continues into the new year; 2013, I have some really wonderful guests lined up. Cancer specialists, celebrities, researchers, authors, authorities on what’s in our personal body and cosmetic products, balanced nutrition for cancer patients and more…

If you have missed Navigating the Cancer Maze I invite you to visit VoiceAmerica and WorldTalk Radio Health & Wellness Channel. All shows are archived and can be downloaded as MP3 and shared. You simply need to join Voice America – no fee and have access to free and informed information via my show. We go live to air each Friday 1 pm USA West Coast time – which is 6 am Queensland Australia time Saturday mornings.

I have outlined a few of the top rating shows below with links directly to Voice America. Please enjoy! If you have a subject you would like to hear discussed on Navigating the Cancer Maze or if you have a skill in one of the areas above and would like to be interviewed: please email me at: institute@gracegawler.com Please like Navigating the Cancer Maze FACEBOOK on VoiceAmerica.

Fran Drescher: Cancer Schmancer is name that one could easily associate with Fran Drescher; loved by millions for her television role as ‘The Nanny’, this humorous, elegant, beautiful, fun loving celebrity has a more serious side to her life and mission.

Listen in to Voice America’s Health and Wellness Channel Grace Gawler’s Navigating the Cancer Maze to hear about Fran’s cancer journey and how her life adversity launched a new movement in cancer awareness; the Cancer Schmancer Movement. What connects Fran Drescher and Grace Gawler? Both women have experienced great life adversities. Both women are using their lives to help others through the course of early cancer diagnosis.

A uterine cancer survivor, Fran Drescher is an outspoken healthcare advocate and LGBT rights activist, and is noted for her work as a Public Diplomacy Envoy for Women’s Health Issues for U.S. State Department. A survivor of rape in 1985 and then diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2000, she wrote about her experiences in her second book, Cancer Schmancer. Her purpose. has also this book was to raise consciousness for men and women “to become more aware of the early warning signs of cancer, and to empower themselves.” The Cancer Schmancer Movement followed. see Fran’s website: http://www.cancerschmancer.org

Direct link to VoiceAmerica and WorldTalk internet radio
http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/65743/special-encore-presentation-navigate-the-cancer-maze-in-conversation-with-survivors-fran-drescher

Dr Emmett Miller the Physician Who Chose Creative Instruments of Healing to Help People Navigate the Healing Maze.

Dr Emmett Miller. Often acknowledged as one of the fathers of Mind/Body Medicine, Dr. Miller is a physician, poet, musician, and master storyteller, whose multicultural heritage has given him a unique social, medical, and spiritual perspective.

His commitment to helping us to reclaim our inborn personal wisdom, integrated with the scientific knowledge and techniques of modern medicine, has allowed him to unite seemingly disparate fields of knowledge and experience. For more than 45 years, it has been his inspiration and his challenge to help people discover this truth for themselves. His message of hope, his vision of a brighter future, and his spirit of wellbeing, has touched millions.

As a physician, health educator and a pioneer in a field that is now on the cutting edge of modern medicine, Dr. Miller brings us a deeper understanding mind and body harmony. My interview with Dr Miller will focus on the power of imagery in healing and recovery. http://drmiller.com/

My interview with Dr Emmett Miller interview touches on the mind-emotion and soul aspect of healing and recovery.
Direct link to VoiceAmerica and WorldTalk internet radio
http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/66070/special-encore-presentation-dr-emmett-miller-the-physician-who-chose-creative-instruments-of-healing

Prof. Ray Lowenthal AO Oncologist/Haematologist/Researcher
Navigating the Cancer Maze – the Evolution of Oncology-What’s Changed?

In this informative episode I focus on the evolution of conventional oncology in my interview with Pioneer Medical Oncologist and Haematologist Prof. Ray Lowenthal AO.

His research focuses on leukaemia, lymphoma, bone marrow transplantation and clinical trials of new cancer treatments.An author of over 100 scientific papers; as a pioneer oncologist, Prof Lowenthal undertook postgraduate training 1968-75 in the UK including nearly 3 years at the Medical Research Council’s Leukaemia Unit at Hammersmith Hospital, London.

Returning to Australia in 1975 he accepted a position at the University of Tasmania where he remains today. Concerned about misinformation in cancer medicine & being in the position of a pioneer in Oncology; he authored a book for the public; “Cancer: What to do about it”. Given the rise in popularity of alt medicine treatments for cancer; a new and updated edition is being considered. Reducing the impact of cancer in Indigenous communities has been another key interest. http://www.menzies.utas.edu.au/

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED LISTENING for anyone considering cancer treatments

Direct link to VoiceAmerica and WorldTalk internet radio
http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/66219/navigating-the-cancer-maze-the-evolution-of-oncology-whats-changed

A GEM of an interview – please listen to: Spinning Gold from Straw: How trauma transformed a Doctor’s Life and Practice Dr Bruce Whelan (Specialist GP)

Dr Bruce Whelan is a specialist GP who has been in Practice for 45 years. His passion for his vocation remains high with specialties in pain management, addiction and a broad range of physical and psychological issues including cancer medicine. Dr Whelan quotes Carl Jung when I ask him about his way of helping patients; he answers “Only the wounded physician can help to heal.” Defining the difference between healing and curing is important in understanding the complexities of recovery from illness. Dr Whelan frames this within his own life story when in October 2002 he became personally involved in the aftermath of the Bali bombing that killed 202 people. He describes the impact on his family & resultant PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) he suffered. However, after his recovery, he returned to medicine with new insights and understanding having been through a ‘dark night of the soul’ experience. This is an inspiring & timely interview for anyone in recovery from any malady.

Direct link to VoiceAmerica and WorldTalk internet radio
http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/66445/spinning-gold-from-straw-how-trauma-transformed-a-doctors-life-and-practice

TB or not TB? A second opinion on Ian Gawler’s cancer ‘cure’

TB or not TB? A second opinion on Ian Gawler’s cancer ‘cure’

Today Tonight segment; Cancer ‘guru’ miracle worker?

It is hard to believe that one year on from http://www.smh.com.au/national/cancer-experts-challenge-gawlers-cure-20111230-1pfns.html that Channel 7’s Today Tonight (TT) recently chose to run a story that yet again smokescreens the actual question of TB or not TB-in other words; a diagnosis of secondary bone cancer or TB? Writing recently in “The “Conversation”online Prof George Jelinek and Guy Allenby
author of Ian Gawler’s Biography – The Dragon’s Blessing made a creative play on those famous words from Hamlet….To be or not to be with their TB or not TB.

[ ‘The Conversation” is an online independent source of analysis, commentary and news from the university and research sector viewed by 550,000 readers each month.}

I had decided that I was not going to write on this subject on my blog again, however TT and the Conversation both appeared to misrepresent Ian Gawler’s recovery story and promote the implication yet again “If Ian did it I can do it too” theme. This in combination with TT”s cursory glance at a well written hypothesis by eminent professors of Oncology that lasted but a few seconds, left many wondering what the segment was trying to achieve. Anyway the segment concerned me so deeply that to end 2012 – I thought it necessary to make what I hope is a final comment on this subject.

To begin with there are two crucial points to address:

TT gave neither professor a right of reply to address their reasons for the hypothesis they published. Rather we see Prof Ian Olver from the Cancer Council making an unrelated comment about the use of alternative medicine!

In the TT interview Ian Gawler states: “It is clearly a personal attack on his story and his Integrity.”

If patients could access the 2012 IMJ Haines and Lowenthal Hypothesis – They would find in fact that Professors Haines and Lowenthal approached Ian Gawler and his story in a somewhat kindly and dignified manner. Certainly not a Spanish Inquisition or a personal attack as has been claimed! It is on the record in fact that Prof Haines politely asked to review Ian Gawler’s case – and as should have happened in such a public health matter, Ian Gawler accepted then withdrew and the matter was in the hands of a litigator. The Hypothesis paper was then forwarded to the Internal Medicine Journal who appropriately believed it to be in the public interest to publish. Surprisingly, there had never been a medical investigation into the reasons why Ian Gawler recovered.

To quote from Haines and Lowenthal’s controversial IMJ Hypothesis:

“In presenting this hypothesis, we emphasise that we are not in any way criticising the patient’s medical attendants who unquestionably acted fully in accordance with the standards of the time. Indeed, the need to consider obtaining histological confirmation of presumed metastatic disease is only now becoming part of standard oncological practice. We note that one of the leading textbooks of oncology states in its latest edition in relation to possible cancer recurrence: ‘Whenever possible, tissue acquisition for diagnostic confirmation . . . should be considered.’

“Whatever the correct diagnosis, we acknowledge the courage and determination of the patient that allowed him to recover from a prolonged and very debilitating illness. We especially note the psychological resilience that enabled him to overcome the dire prognosis he was given that fortunately turned out to be inaccurate.

Nonetheless, there is an aphorism, attributed to the late Carl Sagan, that exceptional claims require exceptional evidence. We contend that unequivocal evidence that the patient was cured of widespread metastases is lacking, and that the unusual treatments that were employed in this case cannot be held out as an example of a path to be followed by other patients with metastatic cancer.” Continue reading “TB or not TB? A second opinion on Ian Gawler’s cancer ‘cure’”

Navigate the Cancer Maze in Conversation with Survivors Fran Drescher and Grace Gawler “Cancer Schmancer”!

Listen to my interview with Fran Drescher on Voice America Fri 26 Oct 12pm PST (Australian listeners can tune in to the show Saturday morning 27 October-also you can download the show as an MP3 for free) Join me – Grace Gawler Navigating the Cancer Maze. http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/65214/navigate-the-cancer-maze-in-conversation-with-survivors-fran-drescher-and-grace-gawler-cancer

Fran Drescher-A celeb who walks the talk! What a fantastic ambassador for empowering women…Fran Drescher championing her mission for cancer prevention and early detection. www.cancerschmancer.org

Listen to my interview with Fran Drescher on Voice America Fri 26 Oct 12pm PST (Australian listeners can tune in to the show Saturday morning 27 October-also you can download the show as an MP3 for free) Join me – Grace Gawler Navigating the Cancer Maze. http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/65214/navigate-the-cancer-maze-in-conversation-with-survivors-fran-drescher-and-grace-gawler-cancer

Cancer Schmancer is a name that one could easily associate with Fran Drescher; loved by millions for her television role as ‘The Nanny’, this humorous, elegant, beautiful, fun loving celebrity has a more serious side to her life and mission. Listen in to Voice America’s Health and Wellness Channel Friday 26 October 12 noon PST USA on Grace Gawler’s Navigating the Cancer Maze to hear about Fran’s cancer journey and how her life adversity launched a new movement in cancer awareness.

What connects Fran Drescher and Grace Gawler? Both women have experienced great life adversities. Both women are using their lives to help others through the course of early cancer diagnosis.

A survivor of uterine cancer; Fran Drescher brings a new beacon of hope; a message to all women to trust their intuition when they ‘know’ that something is desperately wrong with their health when a health professional insists they are OK.

This is Fran Drescher’s story and it can happen to any of us. Fran Dresher was misdiagnosed & mistreated for a peri-menopausal condition she did not have. Her doctors told her she was experiencing symptoms because of a long list of reasons – she was too young, too thin, and another reason given was that she ate too much spinach! Fran was prescribed hormones to treat the symptoms, but her doctors made one fundamental error – they did not order proper diagnostic tests. Fran says; at the time, I didn’t know to ask why or why not, because I was just happy to be told I was too young for any other condition! Eventually an endometrial biopsy confirmed Fran’s greatest fear; she had cancer.

It had taken two years and eight doctors before finally being told that she had a gynecologic cancer. Fran says: “I felt betrayed by not only by my own body, but the medical community.”

In 2002, Fran wrote Cancer Schmancer, to tell her story of survival so what happened to her wouldn’t happen to others. “After I went on my book tour” she says, I realized that what happened to me had happened to so many women like me. And so it was then I realized the book was not the end but rather the beginning of a life mission to improve women’s healthcare in America.”

Website http://www.cancerschmancer.org/

Using her own experience and new found awareness, Fran created not only the book of the same name, but the Cancer Schmancer Movement and Cancer Schmancer Foundation. The Movement aims to of help transform women from patients into medical consumers, and to shift priority from searching for a cancer cure towards prevention and early detection of cancer; a timely message to a nation where cancer diagnosis dominates lives, families and communities. In the U.S. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. BUT THERE IS HOPE… Because when cancer is found early, 90% SURVIVE! Every woman, regardless of age, race or socioeconomic background deserves to have the opportunity of survival.

Cancer Schmancer’s message inspired by Fran Dreschers experience is clear; by catching cancer early and by shifting focus from just searching for a cure to education, prevention and early detection, lives can be saved TODAY. By empowering ourselves and the women we love to become medical consumers; to listen to our bodies, ask the right questions of our doctors and seek second opinions, we can prevent cancer and, if we still end up with it, detect cancer in its earliest stages. Cancer Schmancer is perhaps one of the most innovative Cancer movements in the world with a new message that sheds light on a method that works to end mortality due to late stage diagnosis. And that’s EARLY DETECTION. Join us in saving lives.

Fran says, “I got famous, then I got cancer, and now I live to talk about it. Sometimes the best gifts come in the ugliest packages. Please lock elbows with me and join the Cancer Schmancer Movement so together we can do what needs to be done, so less of us will die prematurely.”

Recently Fran Drescher has begun helping children to become aware of how attitudes shape life through her delightful picture book called ‘Being Wendy’.

Listen to Frans’ story, hear her talk about her books and more on…Navigating the Cancer Maze this Friday 26 October 12 noon PST on Voice America’s Health and Wellness Channel with Grace Gawler.

Get on board, join the Movement, contact: http://www.cancerschmancer.org/

Cancer Schmancer P.O. Box 2760 Reston, VA 20195

Phone: 888-621-2001

Listen to Fran Drescher talk about Cancer Schmancer http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/65214/navigate-the-cancer-maze-in-conversation-with-survivors-fran-drescher-and-grace-gawler-cancer

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